Cover for joints



C. R. LITTLE l De@ 24, 1929.

COVER FOR JoINTs Filed Nov. 4'.. 1926 Patented Dec. 24, 1929 sier-:E1s :parser raies `GI-IkRIzIE-S-RANDALLl'l'flLE, OF COVENTRY, ENGLAND COVER FOR JOINTS Appli'catlonfled,November 4, 1926,*Seria1No. 14G,1;61,and in GreatBritain May 18, 1926.

the relative movement between the pivoted ,f1.5 parts is very considerable.

It permits, if necessary, of complete rotation between the parts in one plane and limited angular movement between them in other planes.

According to this invention, the cover is flexible and is formed in two parts connect ed to one another by a resilient fluid-tight running joint.

In the accompanying drawings,

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the attachment of a drag link 2 to the drop arm 3 of the steering gear of a mot-or vehicle,

with the joint between these enclosed in a cover constructed in accordance with this in- 1' vention.

the same, partially broken away.

Figure 8 is a perspective view, chiefly in section, showing part of a modified joint.

,35 Figure 4 is a perspective view illustrating ments( ofthe?lkWkjint 85 a modified form of cover used in a different kind of joint between two rods 4; and 5, which might form part of the steering gear of a motor vehicle. 4G Figure 5 illustrates a modication applicable to the joint between a rod and a lever, such as a valve rocker, where it is desired that ythe rod should be free to rotate.

Like numerals indicate like parts through- .45 out the drawings.

In the constructions shown in Figures 1 and 2, one part of the cover is a cylindrical sleeve 6 adapted to be clipped by the c-lip 7 on to the drag link 2 and having a short lateral branch 8, the bore of which may be Figure 2 is a perspective view of part of -h considerably greater than that of' thesleeve part 6.

The other part 9 of the cover is of bowl or capshape provided with abranch in the form of a sleeve 10. This sleeve 10 is adapt- 55 ed to be clipped or sprung around the drop .arm-3 .which carri ythebowl is large es the usual ball j oint,y and enough to receive partly or wholly-the ball joint and.A to constitute a receptacle for lubricant. The material at 12 `G0 around the mouth of thebowl is` reduced and adapted to. enter spigotally; thelateral branch 8 onthe sleeve 6 and it is .provided on the .lar ill adapted toengagea corresponding Q5 circumferential ygroove 13 formed within, and

,around the 'lateral branch 8.

-.Tlius, .byA a slightv stretching off the.v one and .compressi on offf-the other, the engaged withcone two parts-6 and9 canbe another, vthe radial flange a 70 1 engaging. tlie. groove 113 and holdingjthe .two partsyresiliently `vlvyet v.firmly ftogether, Afgiiiiiing ra running j ,ointV which gwill permit well .as angular move- :latter- Either part-may be-provided lwitheaffiller vnec-k 15 for introduction-of lubricant, and

this-latter n av v`be ,provided v with a Aflexible cap 16 or stopper engaging an externalcollar 17 or an internal lseeFigure 2.

As an alternati nectingthe two -pa (as, is-,shown inFi groove inthefiller neck, 95

veto the.`method of conrtsasfaboveftheymayleeh gureybe forrnelat :their Y ial grooves 1-,2 engaged by ica with a cup 26 which abuts against a connection between co-acting parts on a surrounding band 18 or collar of flexible or other material.

In the arrangement shown in Figure 4, the rod l is pivotally attached to an intermediate point in the link 5. In such a case the rod 4 carries a sleeve 6 similar to that shown in Figure 1, and this is connected by means of a flange 19 upon the neck 20 with a groove 21 on the interior of the other cover part 9. This takes the form of a bowl or cap with lateral branches Q2 which may be clipped or sprung on to the rod 5. This part of the cover may include a recess at 23 to enclose a nut, or some other part, of the linkwork joint. Either or both parts 6 and 9 may carry means for the introduction of lubricant.

In Figure there is a rod 24 terminaing allended screw 27 carried by a lever 28, which may be the valve rocker of an internal combustion engine. This is a conventional arrangement wherein it is desirable that the abutting faces between the part 27 and the cup 26 should be enclosed. For this purpose one part 29 of the joint cover consists of a sleeve with a neck which contracts on to the ball-ended portion 27 and is spaced away from the rod 24,. Upon the rod is sprung a collar 3() and there is a groove and tongue the collar 30 and sleeve 29 which forms a running joint of the type hitherto described. Lubricant is inserted in the space 31 between the sleeve and the rod, which serves not only to lubricate the running joint but also the surface 26. Thus the rod can twist in relation to the lever 28.

A joint cover as above described is cheaper and more flexible than leather, is very easy to assemble or dismantle, and is adapted to permit unlimited angular -movement ofjthe elements of the joint. Thus, for example, it could be used to enclose the joint of a crank and connecting rod. The lubricant employed may besuch as is non-injurious to rubber,

L, rand in practice it serves to vlubricate the joint between the two parts of the cover sothat the bearing surfaces thereon are able to withstand prolonged usage without appreciable wear. It will also be noticed that the collar and groove connection is one adapted to prevent leakage of lubricant at the junction of the sleeves.

Throughout the specifications and claims I have used the termv running joint by which I mean a joint, in which one surface rotates or moveslin relation to the other.

what i A@1am as. my ivntlon and desire toY secure by Letters States is 1. In afiexible cover fora pivotal connection in combination with two link members of a joint, a cover piece enclosing one link member provided with an annular groove, a cover pieceA enclosing the other link member provided with an annular flange interfitting Patent of the United with the groove of the first piece t0 form a fluid tight and running joint.

In a lieXible cover for a pivotal connection in combination with two link members of a joint, a rubber sleeve enclosing one link member provided with a lateral branch having an annular groove, a rubber cap enclosing the other link member provided with an annular iiange interfitting with the groove of the sleeve to form a fluid tight and running joint.

3. In a iiexible cover for hinge jointfor rods, a rod provided with an external annular groove, a rod operatively connected to the first mentioned rod, a bulb having flexible walls enclosing one side of said joint with clearance from it thereby forming a reservoir for lubricant, said bulb having one end provided with an annular rib engaging the before mentioned annular groove on said Yrod and thereby forming a-running connection with said rod and an openingwhose wall is resilient and adapted to resiliently grip the other rod.' I Y In testimony whereof I have ysigned my name to this specification. I

CHARLES RANDALLv LITTLE. 

